Kurofune Hotel — Hotel in Shimoda

We booked a Traditional-Zimmer (Japanese, Central Bldg, Room Only). Shuttle bus for the beach was not available despite the fact that it was written on Hotels.com. We were not informed proactively. They told us to use the bus or taxi instead (at our charge). We went for the bus close to the hotel, it never came… The building is old stylish and the smells/perfumes in the commun parts are not enjoyable. Almost all services are charged separately (ping pong, swimming pool …) and some have to be booked in advance (incl. swimming pool). You need a swimming cap for the swimming pool. They charge the use of the Onsen even if you dont use it. The Onsen is seperated man/woman and is naked. Many signs are only in Japanese. We were able to communicate with the staff in English. Some speak better than others. Dogs are accepted, we could hear some barking from our bedroom. The first night was quite silent but on the second night, we could hear some people scream/laugh around midnight. On the positive side, the room was spacious, the view was nice. Amenities were provided. There is a 7 eleven only few minutes away by foot. It is not far from the train station, when it’s not too warm, you can go by foot. Taxi to/from the train station is about 1000yen one way. They provide a little carrier for luggage, let us 🚿 after Check-out and called a taxi We went to Kujuppama Beach by taxi. A very nice small beach accessible from the road by a short but very steep road. We also went to Nabetahama Beach by bus (from the train station). Also a nice small beach. I would recommend going to the tourism office next to the train station, they have lots of propositions...

For anyone with a modicum of financial sense or a desire for fair value, STAY AWAY!

From the moment you even consider booking, prepare for sticker shock that will make your eyes water. The room rates are not just high; they are criminally exorbitant, easily double or triple what any comparable (and likely superior) establishment in the area would charge. But the financial assault doesn't end there. Every single "amenity" or service comes with an astronomical hidden fee, designed to nickel-and-dime you into destitution.

What's worse than the outrageous prices is the appalling lack of cleanliness. The rooms are not just unremarkable; they are visibly dirty, often showing signs of neglect, dust, and grime that should never be present in a paying establishment, let alone one charging such exorbitant rates. This blatant disregard for hygiene further compounds the feeling of being ripped off. Want a bottle of water? Prepare to pay more than you would for a gourmet meal.

It's clear that Kurofune Hotel's management's sole focus is to extract every last penny from guests, with absolutely no regard for value, comfort, or a positive experience. The service, if you can even get it, feels grudging and certainly not worth the fortune you've already paid for a dirty room.

Save your hard-earned money. There are countless better hotels out there that offer genuine hospitality, fair pricing, and, crucially, a clean environment. Kurofune Hotel is a financial black hole that will leave you feeling ripped off, utterly disgusted, and probably needing a good shower. Do yourself a massive favor and...

Kurofune is like a 1960s Rat Pack favorite hotel, if they had ever come to Shimoda, Japan. But with time, its glamor is fading a bit. Not run down, but it's a big hotel that requires a lot of upkeep and some updating, and they almost, but don't quite, do so. Still, comfortable, large Japanese style rooms with a nice view of the bay. Shimoda has a few nice sites, but you probably want to travel from here to other locations around the peninsula too. It takes some time - almost 3 hours from Tokyo - to get around. Probably packed in the summer with Tokyoites running away from the city, as much as a small town can be packed. Quiet the rest of the year. Restaurant only open in summer. I dig the hotel, and enjoyed the fairly nice onsens. But you're in small town coastal Japan, so don't expect easy access to lots of activities. Cute town to walk around. Oh, and that bar! Seats 9, and the food is fantastic - she just keeps cooking as you keep drinking. Tiny, between the town center and river... ask and I hope to have the address by then. A hidden gem. (Miyamae St. or the one before with Kaizenji Temple at the far end, on your left as you walk towards the river. Cloth hangs in the doorway.) For pastry, Mai-Mai Ave, about 4 blocks on your right. Unexpected items, all yummy.||Stay...